Mask On or Mask Off?

[chazbz1]

Each year there are at least 2-3 reports from around the country related to catchers being hurt during tag plays at the plate when they removed their mask. Broken noses, losed teeth, poked eyes, etc.

So each spring when we have many new coaches entering the coaching ranks I like to put this reminder out.

On a tag play at the plate LEAVE THE MASK ON!

Why?? Simple, no good reason to take it off. The most common reason I am given is that the catcher can see the throw from the infielder better. Well the catcher had no trouble seeing the 50mph pitch from 40 feet away, I sure she can see a throw from 60+ feet away traveling most likely slower then that.

No reason to surrender the protection, Keep the Mask on!

The only time a catcher should take the mask off is on the pop fly. I am even seeing that with the advances in mask design some girls don't even need to take it off then either...(Exert from NECC)

The pictures prove NECC's advice...Liberty catcher Mack W. takes an elbow to the face that knocks her mask completely off during a sliding tag! The close-up clearly shows the mask flying off of the runner's elbow. The mask saved the catcher's braces from damage....as well as possible damage to her teeth, nose and eyes. (The runner was out)

[scorekeeper]

I agree that the mask should be kept on. My daughter caught for several years and the coaches, with one exception, kept telling her to take the mask off. She never did, and was able to catch popups and get players out at the plate without a problem. Furthermore, I always felt better that she was protected and I would not have to be dealing with a head injury.

[Judd]

I was always under the impression to take it off until I saw posts here about it. I think if the coach is asking your DD to take her mask off, you can discuss the issue. It may just be that the coach never looked at it in that view. This applies to any parent of a catcher. It is your daughter afterall.

[chazbz1]

We just updated our DD's mask to a newer design. The visibility through the mask portion keeps evolving and this one is improved from her previous mask. Newer masks these days also feature "full floating" masks that have what resembles tiny shock absorbers for better impact protection. There have been some safety studies on diiferent type of catcher's masks as to what type of protection each mask offers.

[NoNothin]

My dd was playing 10U a couple of years ago in Park City tourney and I can't remember the name of the team, but thier catcher kept the mask on for a play at the plate and wound up with a broken nose. I really don't know the answer. I teach girls to take it off, but you never know what will happen til its done.

NoNo

[Martin]

How did a piece of equipment designed to protect the head from blunt force trauma contribute to a broken nose during a collision at the plate? My first thought would be that it was a darn good thing she had the helmet on - Lord knows what would have happened if it was off!